Ribbon reel pack



Ami 8, 194-1. w s, M T 2.237.929

RIBBON REEL PACK Filed April 8, 1939 M4 4/4 5 4/PM/r7f 1N VENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 8, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFHCE This invention relates to the merchandising of ribbon, braid, and other tape like merchandise in reel form and has particular reference to cardboard containers therefor.

One of the important features of the invention resides in a cardboard box-like container of a size to snugly and rotatably receive a reel of ribbon or other tape like material, the same having a ribbonslot therein through which the free end of the ribbon extends to facilitate the display of the color and quality of the ribbon to a prospective purchaseran'd to render the free end of the ribbon accessible for pulling out ribbon from the reel, there being means formedon the container to normally hold the free end of the ribbon to prevent accidental unwinding of the free end of the ribbon from the reel.

Another important feature of the invention is to provide window openings in opposite side walls of the container to facilitate gripping access to the ribbon reel by the hand of an operator to permit rewinding of any excess paid out ribbon without removing the ribbon reel from the container.

A further feature of the invention is to provide a ribbon reel container in which a yardage inventory of the ribbon may be taken without removing the ribbon reel from its container A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a foldable ribbon reel container which is constructed of a single blank of cardboard which may be stored in a flat collapsed position for convenient storing and shipment preparatory to use thereof, and which may be easily and rapidly folded into-set up position for use.

A still further feature of the invention is to provide a ribbon reel container embodying the above mentioned features. which is inexpensive in construction, and neat and attractive in appearance-to induce the sale of ribbon in reel form.

Other features of the invention will be apparent as the following specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is an inside plan view of the blank from which the ribbon reel container is constructed.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the ribbon reel container in set up position with a reel of ribbon contained therein.

Figure 3 is a vertical seiitional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view on theline 4.--4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the container in flat collapsed position for shipment and storage preparatory to its being set up for use.

Referring to the drawing by reference charac ters, the numeral 10 designates my improved ribbon pack in its entirety which includes a boxlike container II which rotatably houses a ribbon reel l2. The box-like container II is constructed from a single blank A of cardboard, which blank is of elongated shape as illustrated in Figure 1 and which blank is scored cross-wise on the parallel score lines l3, l4, l5, and IE, to divide the blank into an attaching flap 1-1, a rectangular side wall I8, a side end wall iii, a side wall 20 and a side end wall 2|. The top of the side wall l8-has a flap 22 integral there with and foldable inwardly therefrom on the fold line 23. Integral with the flap 22 is a locking tongue 24, the same adapted to be folded at right angle to the flap 22 on the fold line 25. The sides of the flap 22 converge upwardly toward the tongue 24 and a portion of the flap 22 adjacent and inwardly of the fold line 13 is cut away as at 26 for a purpose to be presently explained; The flap 22 is provided centrally thereof with the diagonal slot 21. The side wall l8 adjacent the fold line [4 is provided with a segmental shaped finger opening 23.

Integral with the top and bottom ends of the end wall I9 are inwardly ioldable flaps 2929.

Integral with the top of the side wall 20 is a top end wall 3!], the same being inwardly foldable on the fold line 3!. An elongated slot 32 is provided centrally along the fold line 3| for the purpose of receiving the tongue 24 when the container is in set up position. The top end wall 30 is provided centrally with a diagonal slot 33 adapted to register with the slot 2'! when the container is set up for use, and the said top wall is also provided with a transverse slit 34- adjacent the fold line It and which slitis exposed at the top of the container when the parts are in folded set up position by reason of the cut-away portion 26. Integral with the top end wall 30 is an inwardly foldable flap 35, the same being foldable on the score line 36. Integral with the bottom of the side wall 20 and foldable on the score line 31 is a bottom wall 33 which has a flap 39 integral therewith and inwardly foldable on the score line 40.

The top and bottom ends of the side end wall 2| is provided with inwardly foldable flaps 4l4 I. The inner side of the wall 21 is illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawing as being provided with an adhesive substance 42 for the gluing of the flap I1 thereto.

The side wall 20 adjacent the fold line I5 is provided with a segmental shaped finger Opening 43 which is similar in shape and size to the finger opening 28 so that when the blank is folded to container forming position, the segmental openings 28 and 43 are in registration with each other.

After the blank A is cut and scored in the manner shown in Figure 1, the same is folded on the fold line I4 to bring the attaching flap l I in a position to receive the adhesive side of the side end wall 2| upon inward folding of the side wall 2I, whereupon the collpased container assumes the position shown in Figure 6 of the drawing. The container remains in this position for convenient packing and shipping of the container and may be set up for use in a manner now to be explained.

Assume that it is desired to package a ribbon reel I2 into the container I9, and that the container is in collapsed position as illustrated in Figure 6. The operator presses the opposite side edges defined by the folds I4 and I6 to cause the side end walls 2I and I9 to assume a position at right angle to theside walls I8 and 20. The operator next forms the bottom by folding the flap 39 on the fold line 40 and inserting the I same inwardly against the side wall l8, it being understood that the short flaps 29 and M are first folded inwardly so as to close the corners of the bottom. The operator next inserts the ribbon reel I2 through the open top of the container and proceeds to fold the short flaps 29 and 4| which are disposed at the top of the end walls I9 and 2| inwardly, after which the top wall 3|] is folded inwardly on the line 3|. The

flap 35 is next folded inwardly, but before pera forming this operation, the free end 44 of the ribbon 45 which is wound upon the reel I2 is inserted through the diagonal slot 33, after which the flap 35 may be folded inwardly to lie against the side wall IS. The top of the box is now closed, but in order to secure the same in closed position, the flap 22 is folded inwardly on the fold line 23 and the free end 44 of the tape is inserted through the slot 21, after which the tongue 24 is folded at right angle to the flap 22 on the fold line 25 and inserted through the slot 32 to lie flat against the side wall 20. To prevent the free end 44 of the ribbon from accidentally unwinding, the same is inserted into the slit 34 so as to be held beneath that portion of the top wall 39 which is located between the slot 34 and the adjacent end of the top wall. The free end of the ribbon is therefore interposed between a portion of the top wall 39 and the top inwardly folded flap 4|.

The ribbon'reel I2 comprises a hub 46 having side disks 4I4I secured to opposite sides thereof by an eyelet 48 which is disposed axially with respect to the hub 46 and the disk 41. The ribbon 45 is wound spirally upon the hub 46 and the convolutions of the wound ribbon are enclosed by the disks 4'I41. For the purpose of exposing the convolutions of the wound ribbon to enable the taking of yardage inventory, one

of the disks 4'! is provided with a radially disposed window opening 49 which is of a length to expose all of the convolutions of the ribbon wound on the reel. Extending from opposite edges of the opening 49 are yardage graduations 50. The graduations are so spaced as to designate the correct amount of yardage of ribbon present on the reel at all times and the yardage indicator is read by reading that graduation which alines with the outermost convolution of the wound ribbon. By bringing the window opening 49 and yardage designations in registration with the finger opening in the side wall of the container on that side of the reel carrying the yardage information, as illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing, the amount of yardage present on a reel may be ascertained without removing the reel from the container I0.

Ribbon packaged in this manner is especially intended for sale over retail counters, and the packs may be arranged in a counter well with the top of the pack facing upwardly so that the free end 44 of the ribbon is visible to the eyes of a prospective purchaser and the salesgirl. The prospective purchaser may view the color of the ribbon without removing the pack from the well and may also examine the quality by feeling the exposed free end of the ribbon. When making a sale, the salesgirl pulls outwardly upon the free end 44 of the ribbon and cuts a length of ribbon to that desired by a purchaser. Should the free end of the ribbon after a length has been cut therefrom, be of a length in excess of the distance between the registering slots 21 and 33 and the slit 34, the excess length of the free end of the ribbon may be rewound by the operator inserting the thumb through one of the finger openings 28 and 43 and the forefinger through the other opening, whereby opposite sides of the ribbon reel 12 may be grasped and turned a sufficient distance to rewind the excessive amount of ribbon.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that I have provided a neat and attractive ribbon pack by which ribbon may be displayed and sold in an orderly manner and the ribbon kept in a clean flat condition until dispensed.

The fiat opposite sides of the ribbon reel container may contain advertising indicia and the necessary instructions for paying out and rewinding excess ribbon.

While I have shown and described what I consider to be the most practical embodiment of my invention, I wish it to be understood that such changes as come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

l. A container for ribbon reels and the like comprising a single blank of cardboard cut, scored and folded to provide a bottom Wall, spaced opposed side walls, opposed end walls, a top wall integral with one of said side walls and having a ribbon slot therein, a top flap integral with the other side wall and overlying a portion of said top wall and having a ribbon slot therein in registration with the ribbon slot in said top wall, a locking tongue integral with said top flap and extending through a slot provided in said top wall at its joinder with its related side wall.

2. A container for ribbon reels and the like comprising a single blank of cardboard cut, scored and folded to provide a bottom wall, spaced opposed side Walls, opposed end walls, a top wall integral with one of said side walls and having a ribbon slot therein, a top flap integral with the other side wall and overlying a portion of said top wall and having a ribbon slot therein in registration with the ribbon slot in said top wall, a locking tongue integral with said top flap and extending through a slot provided in said top wall at its joinder with its related side wall, inwardly folded corner flaps integral with the top ends of said end walls and underlying said top wall at the ends thereof, and a transverse slit provided in said top wall and disposed clear of the top flap and located above one of said inwardly folded corner flaps, whereby the free end of a ribbon may be pulled from a ribbon reel when housed in the container and threaded through the registering ribbon slots and held against ac cidental unwinding by insertion through said slit.

3. A container for ribbon reels and the like as set forth in claim 2, in which the side walls of the container have registering arcu-ate shaped finger receiving openings to facilitate manual rewinding access to a ribbon reel when packaged in the container. 7

4. A box for individual ribbon reels and the like comprising a single blank of cardboard of substantially rectangular configuration having spaced parallel transverse score lines and spaced parallel longitudinal score lines dividing the blank into like square shaped side walls, an end wall connecting said side walls, a second end wall contiguous with one of the side walls, and a glue flap contiguous with the other side wall adapted to be adhesively secured to the second end wall when the blank is folded into set up box forming position, inwardly foldable corner flaps at the ends of said end walls, inwardly foldable top and bottom walls contiguous with oneof the side walls, a top flap contiguous with the top of the other side wall and foldable relative thereto on a dividing score line, and a locking tongue contiguous with said top flap and separated therefrom along a score line parallel to the last mentioned score line, said locking tongue adapted to be inserted through a slot in the top wall located at the adjacent side wall to which the top wall is connected, when the blank is folded, said top flap and said top wall having like elongated ribbon slots therein extending crosswise, thereof and which register when the blank is folded to set up box forming position, said side walls having reversely disposed arcuate shape finger slots therein which register when the blank is folded into set up box forming position.

5. A box for individual ribbon reels and the like comprising a single blank of cardboard of substantially rectangular configuration having spaced parallel transverse score lines and spaced parallel longitudinal score lines dividing the blank into like square shaped side; walls, an end wall connecting said side walls, a second end wall contiguous with one of the side walls, and a glue flap contiguous with the other side wall adapted to be adhesively secured to the second end wall when the blank is folded into set up box forming position, inwardly foldable top and bottom walls contiguous with one of the side walls, a top flap contiguous with the top of the other side wall and fold-able relative thereto on a dividing score line, and a locking tongue contiguous with said top flap and separated therefrom along a score line parallel to the last mentioned score line, said locking tongue adapted to be inserted through a slot in the top wall located at the adjacent side wall to which the top wall is connected, when the blank is folded, said topflap and said top .wall having like elongated ribbon slots therein extending crosswise thereof and which register when the blank is folded to set up box forming position.

WILLIAM S. ARMITT. 

